New opportunities for applications of cellulose nanocrystal: non-covalent protein coupling analysis by flow cytometry.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are known for several features which make them one of the nanoparticles with great potential for application in different areas such as biosensors development and carrier molecules. However, there are few reports in the literature describing the coupling analysis of cellulose nanocrystals with biomolecules, and the existing ones are laborious, still needing a large laboratory structure. In this paper, we describe the non-covalent coupling of Bovine Serum Albumin protein (BSA) to CNCs using Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) as a reporter molecule.

Cell Death of Blood Stages Occurs in Absence of Classical Apoptotic Events and Induces Eryptosis of Parasitized Host Cells.

Elucidation of pathways regulating parasite cell death is believed to contribute to identification of novel therapeutic targets for protozoan diseases, and in this context, apoptosis-like cell death has been reported in different groups of protozoa, in which metacaspases seem to play a role. In the genus , apoptotic markers have been detected in and , and no study focusing on cell death has been reported so far. In the present study, we investigated the susceptibility of to undergo apoptotic cell death after incubating mature trophozoites with the classical apoptosis inducer staurosporine.

Development of an antibody against EtpA from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and evaluation of its use for bacterial isolation using magnetic beads.

The enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strain is one of the most frequent causative agents of childhood diarrhea and travelers' diarrhea in low-and middle-income countries. Among the virulence factors secreted by ETEC, the exoprotein EtpA has been described as an important. In the present study, a new detection tool for enterotoxigenic E.

Kinetics of IL-6, C-reactive Protein and Fibrinogen Levels in COVID-19 Outpatients Who Evolved to Hypoxemia.

Introduction: Despite the efficacy of the COVID-19, the search for improvements in the management of severe/critical cases continues to be important. The aim is to demonstrate the kinetics of 4 serological markers in patients with COVID-19 who evolved in hypoxemia.

Methods: From June to December 2020, the Health Secretariat of Rondônia State, Brazil, established a home medical care service team (HMCS) that provided clinical follow-up for health professionals and military personnel with COVID-19.

Bone mass, fracture risk, and associated factors in postmenopausal women living with HIV.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of low bone mass (osteopenia/osteoporosis), the factors associated with low bone mass, and the risk of fractures in Brazilian postmenopausal women living with HIV (WLH) in the Amazon region.

Methods: This is a cohort study with a cross-sectional assessment at baseline conducted between March 2021 to August 2022 with 100 postmenopausal WLH undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) between 45 and 60 years of age and 100 age-matched HIV-negative women. Data on bone mineral density in the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) were collected using dual x-ray absorptiometry and the 10-year risk of hip and major osteoporotic fractures was assessed using the Fracture Risk Assessment tool (FRAX).

Improvement of Bacillus subtilis Spore Enumeration and Label Analysis in Flow Cytometry.

The spores of Bacillus subtilis have already been proposed for different biotechnological and immunological applications; however, there is an increasing need for the development of methodologies that improve the detection of antigens immobilized on the surface of spores together with their quantification. Flow cytometry-based analyses have been previously proposed as fast, reliable, and specific approaches for detecting labeled cells of B. subtilis.

Using an Aluminum Hydroxide-Chitosan Matrix Increased the Vaccine Potential and Immune Response of Mice against Multi-Drug-Resistant .

is a Gram-negative, immobile, aerobic nosocomial opportunistic coccobacillus that causes pneumonia, septicemia, and urinary tract infections in immunosuppressed patients. There are no commercially available alternative antimicrobials, and multi-drug resistance is an urgent concern that requires emergency measures and new therapeutic strategies. This study evaluated a multi-drug-resistant whole-cell vaccine, inactivated and adsorbed on an aluminum hydroxide-chitosan (mAhC) matrix, in an sepsis model in immunosuppressed mice by cyclophosphamide (CY).

Chemistry and Pharmacology of Bergenin or Its Derivatives: A Promising Molecule.

Bergenin is a glycosidic derivative of trihydroxybenzoic acid that was discovered in 1880 by Garreau and Machelart from the rhizomes of the medicinal plant (currently: -Saxifragaceae), though was later isolated from several other plant sources. Since its first report, it has aroused interest because it has several pharmacological activities, mainly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. In addition to this, bergenin has shown potential antimalarial, antileishmanial, trypanocidal, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antinociceptive, antiarthritic, antiulcerogenic, antidiabetic/antiobesity, antiarrhythmic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and cardioprotective activities.

Phenotypic, functional and plasticity features of human PBMCs induced by venom secreted PLAs.

Bothrops venom contains a high amount of secreted phospholipase A (sPLAs) enzymes responsible for the inflammatory reaction and activation of leukocytes in cases of envenoming. PLAs are proteins that have enzymatic activity and can hydrolyze phospholipids at the sn-2 position, thereby releasing fatty acids and lysophospholipids precursors of eicosanoids, which are significant mediators of inflammatory conditions. Whether these enzymes have a role in the activation and function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is not known.

Diagnostic applications of microsphere-based flow cytometry: A review.

Microsphere-based flow cytometry is a highly sensitive emerging technology for specific detection and clinical analysis of antigens, antibodies, and nucleic acids of interest. In this review, studies that focused on the application of flow cytometry as a viable alternative for the investigation of infectious diseases were analyzed. Many of the studies involve research aimed at epidemiological surveillance, vaccine candidates and early diagnosis, non-infectious diseases, specifically cancer, and emphasize the simultaneous detection of biomarkers for early diagnosis, with accurate results in a non-invasive approach.

Bacillus subtilis spores as delivery system for nasal Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite surface protein immunization in a murine model.

Malaria remains a widespread public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, and there is still no vaccine available for full protection. In recent years, it has been observed that spores of Bacillus subtillis can act as a vaccine carrier and adjuvant, promoting an elevated humoral response after co-administration with antigens either coupled or integrated to their surface. In our study, B.

Immunologic biomarkers, morbidity and mortality among HIV patients hospitalised in a Tertiary Care Hospital in the Brazilian Amazon.

Background: The irregular use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and late diagnosis still account for a large part of HIV-associated mortality in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Herein, we describe HIV-associated morbidity among hospitalised HIV/AIDS patients with advanced immunosuppression and assess the comorbidities, laboratory parameters, and immunological markers associated with mortality.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado (FMT-HVD) in Manaus, Brazil.

Evaluation of antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity assays of amino acids functionalized magnetite nanoparticles: Hyperthermia and flow cytometry applications.

We report the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles (MNP) and their functionalization with glycine (MNPGly), β-alanine (MNPAla), L-phenylalanine (MNPPhAla), D-(-)-α-phenylglycine (MNPPhGly) amino acids. The functionalized nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS), magnetic hyperthermia (MH), dynamic light scattering and zeta potential. The functionalized nanoparticles had isoelectric points (IEP) at pH ≃ 4.

Events associated with susceptibility to invasive Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi in BALB/c mice previously infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA.

Numerous mechanisms have been proposed to explain why patients with malaria are more susceptible to bloodstream invasions by Salmonella spp., however there are still several unknown critical factors regarding the pathogenesis of coinfection. From a coinfection model, in which an S.

Increased levels of reactive oxygen species in platelets and platelet-derived microparticles and the risk of respiratory failure in HIV/AIDS patients.

Respiratory failure (RF) is the main cause of hospital admission in HIV/AIDS patients. This study assessed comorbidities and laboratory parameters in HIV/AIDS inpatients with RF (N = 58) in relation to those without RF (N = 36). Tuberculosis showed a huge relative risk and platelet counts were slightly higher in HIV/AIDS inpatients with RF.

Increased platelet distribution width and reduced IL-2 and IL-12 are associated with thrombocytopenia in Plasmodium vivax malaria.

Background: Thrombocytopenia in malaria involves platelet destruction and consumption; however, the cellular response underlying this phenomenon has still not been elucidated.

Objective: To find associations between platelet indices and unbalanced Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines as a response to thrombocytopenia in Plasmodium vivax infected (Pv-MAL) patients.

Methods: Platelet counts and quantification of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine levels were compared in 77 patients with uncomplicated P.

A simple, ex vivo phagocytosis assay of Plasmodium vivax merozoites by flow cytometry.

As phagocytosis is the first line of defense against malaria, we developed a phagocytosis assay with Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) merozoites that can be applied to evaluate vaccine candidates. Briefly, after leukocyte removal with loosely packed cellulose powder in a syringe, P.

Immune response pattern in recurrent Plasmodium vivax malaria.

Background: Plasmodium vivax is the causative agent of human malaria of large geographic distribution, with 35 million cases annually. In Brazil, it is the most prevalent species, being responsible by around 70 % of the malaria cases.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in Manaus (Amazonas, Brazil), including 36 adult patients with primary malaria, 19 with recurrent malaria, and 20 endemic controls.

A novel polyclonal antibody-based sandwich ELISA for detection of Plasmodium vivax developed from two lactate dehydrogenase protein segments.

Background: Immunoassays for Plasmodium detection are, presently, most frequently based on monoclonal antibodies (MAbs); Polyclonal antibodies (PAbs), which are cheaper to develop and manufacture, are much less frequently used. In the present study we describe a sandwich ELISA assay which is capable of detecting P. vivax Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) in clinical blood samples, without cross reacting with those infected with P.